Justice News

Christopher Cook Charged with Violating Federal Firearms Laws

ALBUQUERQUE – Christopher Cook, 36, of Albuquerque, N.M., has been charged with violating the federal firearms laws in a criminal complaint filed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives earlier today.

The criminal complaint charges Cook with being a felon in possession of a firearm. It alleges that Cook unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition on Jan. 3, 2015. According to the criminal complaint, Cook was prohibited from possessing either firearms or ammunition because he previously has been convicted of multiple felony offenses.

Cook was arrested earlier today on related state charges and currently is in state custody. He will be transferred to federal custody to answer to the federal charge in the criminal complaint.

If convicted of the charge in the criminal complaint, Cook faces up to ten years in federal prison. If the court determines that Cook is an armed career criminal, Cook faces an enhanced sentence of a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison to a maximum of life imprisonment.

Charges in criminal complaints are mere accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Albuquerque Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Albuquerque office of the FBI, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Walsh is prosecuting the case.

This case is being prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.